"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I'm haunted by the strains of human limitation
sending you letters like I'm daring you to, in relation to you going astray.
What seemed like a lifetime spent riding on the wingsof the backwards devils.
It was as if I had fled from a lion, only to meet a bear.
Cut off when I saw the unseen. Sending me to my home,
covered with dust and ashes.
Humiliation and insignificance.
Oh, the curious teeth of a bear; those fangs,
a continual lash and spur onto dedication.
I will not be moved or shaken. I will not be misled.
Messenger follows messenger
sending you letters like I'm daring you to, in relation to you going astray.
What seemed like a lifetime spent riding on the wingsof the backwards devils.
It was as if I had fled from a lion, only to meet a bear.
Cut off when I saw the unseen. Sending me to my home,
covered with dust and ashes.
Humiliation and insignificance.
Oh, the curious teeth of a bear; those fangs,
a continual lash and spur onto dedication.
I will not be moved or shaken. I will not be misled.
Messenger follows messenger
Lyrics submitted by iamamachinegun
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Not sure why Im the only one with a posting on here, but this is my favorite song on "O God, The Aftermath." Im just taking a wild guess, but I think that the song is about trying to save someone for Christ. Hes upset that he cant save them himself because of the "human limitation" and is afraid that he is coming across like hes daring them to try God and putting a lot of pressure on them. The rest after that I think is his testimony. Everywhere he turned he found something else that was hurtful to him, with the whole lions and bears and whatnot. This life was cut off when he saw the unseen (God) and was sent to his home (a life in Christ) after being humbled before Him. Then hes just reflecting on his life and the teeth of sin (the bear) that are only a "continual lash and spur." But hes resolved in Christ and "will not be moved or shaken. I will not be misled." He is a messenger to the person hes telling about Christ, following Christ, the messenger who came to tell Earth about the way to salvation. Let me know if this sounds good to you.